Basso Profundo
March 9, 2009 1:24 PM   Subscribe

How low can you go? J.D. Sumner and the Stamps vs. Isaac Freeman and The Fairfield Four.

According to the wiki, "In 1983, the Guinness Book Of World Records recognized Sumner's 1966 solo recording of the hymn "Blessed Assurance." According to Guinness, the song contained the lowest recorded note ever produced by a human voice, a "double low" C." (ultimate bassosity occurs at 2:50 in the first video). They also were famous for being the opening act for Elvis Presley.
posted by vronsky (9 comments total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
Great performances. I love watching Sumner's hair-line jump about.

Is there a female title holder for the deepest bass? I've always like how Mahalia Jackson sounded at the low-end of the scale.
posted by JBennett at 1:38 PM on March 9, 2009


Didn't have to look far.
posted by JBennett at 1:39 PM on March 9, 2009


In 2002, Tim Storms knocked Sumner out of the lowest note (8hz).
posted by Bernt Pancreas at 1:44 PM on March 9, 2009


"I love watching Sumner's hair-line jump about."

hah, me too. If he had a few bulging veins on his forehead he could almost be one of these :)
posted by vronsky at 2:17 PM on March 9, 2009


The jazz and R&B singer Milt Grayson was know for really low bass-baritone registers. He does a wonderful version of an Ellington tune called "Strange Feeling" on this record that is sung especially low.
posted by ornate insect at 2:18 PM on March 9, 2009


I've always like how Mahalia Jackson sounded at the low-end of the scale.

In addition to her numerous other excellences, Sarah Vaughan had a thrilling low register. Try her version of "Lullaby of Birdland" on her record with Clifford Brown.

Conversely, the highest range of a male singer in the post-castrato era has to be this guy.
posted by Joe Beese at 3:22 PM on March 9, 2009


This is one of my favorite JD performances. It wasn't the growl he became and so on pitch.

I wish I could find the video of JD relating the story of Elvis buying the Stamps a bus and deciding that he should drive it. And he drove it until he wrecked it and bought them another one.
posted by spartacusroosevelt at 3:24 PM on March 9, 2009


the Fairfield Four are fantastic. Major, major bonus points for wearing overalls with black bowties and suit coats.
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 3:27 PM on March 9, 2009


Wow. JD Sumner looks like a Daniel Clowes character come to life.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 11:04 PM on March 9, 2009 [1 favorite]


« Older Fishing With A Line of Poesy   |   Top Three Thousand Songs and Albums Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments